How to Remove Earlier version of windows from boot? I wanna edit boot.ini using Command Prompt or Msconfig?

Question

I had Win XP and 7 dual boot. I formatted XP installed partition. I want to remove 'Earlier version of Windows' appearing in the boot menu. So I want to edit boot.ini as mentioned above.EasyBCD says Unable to access. If you know how to do it ..please help me with the steps to remove WinXP boot entry from boot.ini through MSconfig or Command prompt.

Answer 1

That's funny. It's easier to do it with EasyBCD. Perhaps you need to delete all the items on the Boot Menu and recreate it. You might also need to move the location of the boot loader if it was on the partition where your XP used to be.



Anyhow, I can tell you how to do it from the Command Prompt but it's not as easy. You can easily make a mistake. However, if you do make a mistake in deleting the boot manager, be ready with your Windows installer or System Repair disc so you can run Startup Repair.

Answer 2

Only thing you need to do with boot.ini is delete it. The Earlier Version of Windows entry is in the BCD Data file that Win 7 uses to boot.

Easy to fix

Start msconfig (Winkey+R, type msconfig in the Run box, press Enter)

Click the Boot tab

Highlight the Earlier Version of Windows entry and click Delete

Check the box for Make all boot entries permanent (or reboot once first to test, then go back and check it).



Done



EDIT: I've seen some systems where msconfig doesn't list the Earlier Version of Windows Entry, have no idea why. Have to do it manually then, though EasyBCD should be able to remove it.



To do it manually, open an elevated command prompt

Click Start, type cmd, when cmd.exe appears in the list, right click it and click Run as Administrator

Type Bcdedit at the prompt.

This will list all the boot menu entries

One of the entries should look similar to this, though your partition might be different:

Windows Legacy OS Loader

------------------------

identifier {ntldr}

device partition=D:

path \ntldr

description Earlier Version of Windows



This is the Earlier Version of Windows (XP) entry. To delete it, type the following:

Bcdedit /delete {ntldr} /F

Answer 3

the simplest way to do this is,

just get the required file from another computer (ask a friend)

and place it on the correct drive.

rather than mess about with third party programs and editing of the boot files.



i think just running the windows 7 start up repair

will place the correct files required for boot.





.

Answer 4

1) Go to the Start Menu 2) Click on the Run icon 3) Type in cmd and click OK Now a MS DOS window will open and tell you what operating system you have installed and running, including the version.